Important attributes of micronutrient products

Abstract

Fertilization of western Canadian prairie soils with micronutrient products has garnered much interest since the mid 1980’s. Technological advances with respect to farm mechanization, crop breeding programs, and the length of which prairie soils have been farmed, have led to increased usage of minor element fertilizers. There is a number of products available, each with specific attributes, which may influence product choice by western Canadian farmers. Product performance is influenced by manufacturing process, application methodology, and application rate. Performance is also influenced by soil properties, cropping practice and history, and climate. Attributes important to product efficacy are water solubility and distribution (within product composition and within application method), and physical form of the product. As well, users of micronutrient products may wish to question suppliers regarding raw materials used in production, and the ultimate inclusion of some heavy metals in the product.